Marcus Fraser insists he’ll use the bitter disappointment of missing out on the top-six two years ago as a warning to guard against another near miss this season.
While the Buddies are in pole position to seal an elusive top half finish this season after beating Hearts 2-0 at Tynecastle, the Saints defender knows from painful experience not to ever think the job’s done too early.
Along with club captain Joe Shaughnessy and Richard Tait, Fraser was part of the defence that shipped a “killer” last-minute equaliser against Hamilton in March, 2021, when the Paisley side missed out on a first top-six finish in almost four decades on goal difference alone.
Now St Mirren stalwart Fraser is determined to use that heartbreak to ensure his Buddies aren’t left deflated once again at the end of a brilliant campaign to date.
Speaking exclusively to the Paisley Daily Express, Fraser said: “We got so close that time. We conceded a goal with the last kick of the ball, which was a killer for us.
“We missed out then, but this season we’ve got a chance to put that right. It’s not done yet, we’ve still got work to do to get it over the line.
“But I’ll definitely be using that disappointment to try and build on it and make sure it doesn’t happen again this year.
“It was so deflating. I felt that season we’d really kicked on, getting to two cup semi-finals as well, but we didn’t make it count.
“This season in the main our consistency has been very good, especially at home.
“Away from home we need to put in more performances like the one at Tynecastle.
“But we’ve had two clean sheets in our last two games and that gives you a good platform to go and win games.”
St Mirren are now a massive five points clear of nearest top-six spot challengers Livingston after a brilliant away win against struggling Hearts.
With just two games left to the split, the Buddies know a point from their trip to Ibrox this weekend or against lowly Kilmarnock at home will likely be enough to see them finish in the top half regardless of the Lions results - because of their superior goal difference.
Fraser feels the key strength of the current Saints squad is the way his teammates fight to bail each other out when mistakes are made. He said: “We were brilliant against Hearts. The atmosphere from the away fans was fantastic from minute one and that gave us a real boost. We definitely fed off that.
“The first half was a bit cagey, neither team really stamped their authority on the game but in the second half we showed what we’re all about.
“We played on the counter, pressed them high and took our chances well when they came.
“This is definitely the best team I’ve played with in terms of spirit. When someone makes a mistake, you know the next player is going to be there to cover them and make that last-ditch block for them.
“At the start of the second half, Trevor [Carson] bailed us out with a great save after we got a bit mixed up over the far side.
“That was a big moment in the game and it gave us a lift. It was a wake-up call for us to go and take the game by the scruff of the neck.
“We’re so strong together and everyone has got each other’s back. The feeling amongst the squad all week was that we could get a win at Tynecastle. The boys on the bus through were confident we could get it done and thankfully we did.”
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